Prime Minister Andy Burnham has openly criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling him "the wrong man" to steer the global governing body. Burnham's remarks come at a time when Infantino is under mounting scrutiny after a senior adviser quit in protest of a proposed commercial venture that would see stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, sold to private investors.
When the proposal first surfaced, Burnham denounced the idea of commercialising the sport's flagship events. He reiterated his stance on Friday, stating, "The fact that such a plan could even be tabled demonstrates, in my view, that he is the wrong person to lead the organisation." His comments echo a broader chorus of dissent from within football's hierarchy.
The backlash intensified when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in publicly opposing the scheme. The three confederations collectively urged FIFA to conduct an "urgent review of its governance" and to ensure that any future proposals undergo transparent, democratic consultation. Adding to the turmoil, Carlos Cordeiro, a senior adviser to Infantino and a former banker with a lifelong passion for football, resigned in protest.
In a statement to Sky News, Cordeiro described the privatisation plan as "a bad deal for football" and warned that it threatened "the long‑term future of the game." He stressed that he had not been involved in drafting the proposal and that he opposed it "unequivocally." Later, FIFA's chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, echoed the sentiment of disillusioned staff. Speaking to the Associated Press, Lamour claimed that employees felt "deceived" by Infantino's lack of openness and that they deserved "better than contempt and intimidation." He characterised the World Cup privatisation as "the project of one person" and called on football leaders to intervene before the situation escalates further. FIFA attempted to calm the storm with a statement released in the early hours of Friday, insisting that "nobody is selling football." The governing body argued that the proposed entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was intended to give member associations a chance to own a share of the commercial opportunities arising from football in their own countries, without compromising the sport's spirit or governance. Despite these assurances, the reaction from national associations has been swift and decisive.
UEFA's 55 member associations announced they would boycott any FIFA tournament until the plan is withdrawn. CONCACAF, representing 41 nations across North and Central America and the Caribbean, also rejected the proposal outright.
The investor group behind the plan is led by Thrive Eternal, a company founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, former senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Thrive Eternal has so far declined to comment on its involvement. When asked whether he had spoken to Infantino about the initiative, President Trump replied, "No, I never spoke to him," during a press briefing at Camp David.
FIFA's official response to the criticism highlighted the disruption caused by "incorrect media reports" and reaffirmed its commitment to an open consultation process. The statement read, "We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation.
Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA has the ability to express its vote based on facts." The organization also underscored that FFE is meant to enable member associations to benefit financially from commercial opportunities while safeguarding the integrity of the sport. "Nobody is selling football.
This is not something FIFA would ever entertain," the statement concluded. The opposition is not limited to European bodies. The AFC, which had previously been a staunch supporter of Infantino—its president Sheikh Salman was Infantino's runner‑up in the 2016 FIFA election—issued a statement that could be interpreted as a call for Infantino's resignation.
The AFC urged FIFA to undertake a comprehensive review of its governance, emphasizing that true democracy requires transparent decision‑making, timely consultation, informed deliberation, and genuine participation from all stakeholders. Sky Sports analyst Kaveh Solhekol described the situation as a "catastrophic error of judgment" for Infantino, suggesting that the president faces a realistic prospect of losing his job. Solhekol noted that the internal dissent could lead to an emergency Congress, where a vote of no confidence might be triggered if at least 20 percent of FIFA's 211 member associations support it. The potential fallout extends beyond immediate governance concerns.
Critics argue that commercial imperatives could push FIFA to schedule larger, more frequent tournaments, further congesting domestic league calendars and placing additional strain on clubs and players. This fear of over‑commercialisation has resonated with fans and officials alike, who worry that the sport's core values could be compromised in pursuit of profit. In summary, Infantino's proposal to create a privately‑funded commercial vehicle for the World Cup has ignited a multi‑continental revolt.
From Burnham's blunt assessment of Infantino's suitability, to the resignations of senior advisers, to the united front of UEFA, CONCACAF, and now the AFC, the pressure on FIFA's leadership is unprecedented. Whether this crisis will culminate in Infantino's removal, a major governance overhaul, or a compromise that preserves both commercial interests and the sport's integrity remains to be seen. The coming weeks will be decisive for the future direction of world football.